The Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) today returned an additional $10,000 in savings realized through sound financial management to the local economy with its fifth round of mini-grants, helping four entrepreneurs realize their small business dreams. We helped keep it a reality.
This year’s award recipients all provide services that they feel are important to the people and quality of life of Somerset-Pulaski County. These include Method: A Sweat Studio, Drive 365, Pig’s Entertainment LLC, and Wise Ass Farms.
SPEDA’s mini-grant program awards $2,500 to four local businesses planning to innovate and expand their operations. Launched in 2020, this mini-grant program provides strategic investments to businesses currently operating or in the startup stage in Somerset-Pulaski County. This is an initiative made possible by SPEDA’s good management and proper financial oversight, and has helped the organization save thousands of dollars annually since its inception.
Chris Girdler, president and CEO of SPEDA, said this year’s award winners are unique for the diversity of services they provide and the impact those services have on the local economy.
“Our mini-grant program is not economic development in the traditional sense,” Girdler said. “In fact, very little of SPEDA can be considered traditional economic development. It happens in different ways to people from all walks of life, and we’re proud of the diversity of companies that applied this year. That’s why our committee chose the four final winners. It was difficult and we are proud of the projects we chose to support.”
Local businesses are invited to apply for several projects including but not limited to strategic planning and management. Purchase or physical improvements to facilities and equipment. training; or initiatives in leadership, planning and management skills.
Applicants must demonstrate their benefit to the community by presenting an overall plan, specific investment needs, and how the funds will be utilized.
Method: Sweat Studio
From left: Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, Method A Sweat Studio owners Sara Lee and Michelle Gambill, Pulaski County Judge and Executive Officer Marshall Todd, and SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler, CEO.
Michelle Gambill and Sarah Leigh, co-owners of Method: A Sweat Studio, want as many community members as possible to learn about the benefits of healthy habits and exercise. Their studio in downtown Somerset is housed in what was once the local YMCA and offers Pilates reformer, barre, and various group cardio and strength classes to over 700 clients. .
But Gambir and Lee hope that number continues to grow. Pilates reformers often require one-on-one training for people who have never exercised before, or who require individualized care due to injury or physical limitations, so they often come to the studio. has only one dedicated room, which limits our ability to offer private and group sessions at the same time. reformer class. Method will use the mini-grant to purchase an additional Pilates reformer and install it in a repurposed room for private her lessons. This will allow group classes to resume in their original spaces, ensuring that this method helps more clients improve their physical, emotional, and mental health.
“As a woman-owned small business that has experienced tremendous support and growth since opening in July 2021, we are honored to receive this mini-grant to help us continue to grow our business,” said Lee. he said. “The support we have received from the community has been unparalleled. This opportunity allows us to continue offering innovative classes and a supportive healthy environment to our clients.”
Pigs Entertainment LLC
From left: Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, Pigs Entertainment Owner Travis Hood, Pulaski County Judge and Executive Officer Marshall Todd, and SPEDA President and CEO Chris・Mr. Girdler.
While Method wants to improve the quality of life for Pulaski County residents through wellness, Pig’s Entertainment wants to improve the quality of life through entertainment and social opportunities. This entrepreneurial business helps introduce new and engaging forms of entertainment within existing local businesses, helping those businesses attract foot traffic while creating vibrant and fun social spaces within the community. and help increase alternative sources of income.
Pig’s Entertainment will use the mini-grant to purchase a crane game machine to install at the Eubank Pizza Somerset store, making it the sixth such machine installed at a business in Pulaski County. .
“Words cannot express how grateful we are that Pigs Entertainment was selected for this grant,” said owner Travis Hood. “This will help us grow across our locations. In the personal sales business, this is a huge deal. Therefore, we would like to thank SPEDA for choosing Pig’s Entertainment as one of the winners. It’s a real honor and it means a lot.”
drive365 rental car
From left: Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, Drive 365 owners Bruce Pinn and Jamie Woodall, Pulaski County Judge and Executive Officer Marshall Todd, and SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler.
Drive 365 Rent-A-Car is a locally owned and operated car rental company that wants to meet its customers where they are. All you need to do is purchase 3 iPads using your SPEDA mini grant.
“At this time, our services are only available in-office and we are limited in the assistance we can provide,” co-owner Jamie Woodall said. “Tablets allow our staff to serve customers at home, in the office, or in the service department of a dealership. Our goal is to connect people who need a rental car with as little hassle as possible. to get you into the rental car quickly.
Co-owner Bruce Ping said it’s hard to overstate the impact the project has had on the community.
“Any business, especially a small business that is locally owned and operated, is good for the local economy,” Ping said. “But in a business like this, economic growth and stimulation go hand in hand…By providing transportation for people who have been left behind for whatever reason, our business helps our citizens participate more fully in society.” ” economic growth. We are grateful to SPEDA for helping us seize this opportunity to improve the quality of life in terms of transportation. ”
Wise Us Farms
From left: Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, Wise Us Farms Owner Josh Baker, Pulaski County Judge and Executive Officer Marshall Todd, and SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler.
Wise Us Farms, a family-owned farming operation named after the Biblical story of Balaam, will use the SPEDA mini-grant to improve the quality of its gardening and landscaping, allowing local residents to grow their home-grown, healthy Help make food accessible.
Owner Josh Baker currently rents a roll-off dumpster from a nearby commercial produce facility. The facility’s waste stream will be used to create nutrient-rich compost, which Wise Us Farms hopes to make available to local individuals and businesses next year. SPEDA’s small grant will help the farm purchase a large dump trailer, increasing the ability of its workers to respond to disposal needs at any time and eliminating the need to rent equipment from out-of-province providers.
Baker said the process and equipment will allow farms to provide a high-quality source of compost for gardens and landscaping, increasing garden yields and making homegrown food more available.
“We are very grateful to receive the SPEDA mini-grant,” Baker said. “Choosing small farms and businesses like ours shows where this community prioritizes. We look forward to the progress this grant will allow us to make and we look forward to helping our local We look forward to becoming a bigger part of the economy.”
Girdler, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck and Pulaski County Judge Executive Marshall Todd awarded the businesses $2,500 mini-grants Thursday.
